Golf and exercise stretch device

ABSTRACT

A portable device to assist in stretching for golf and sports activities is disclosed. The device includes a straight tube leg with foot, an angled bridge tube with a 40 to 50 degree first angled portion and a 90 to 120 degree second angled portion, and another straight bar leg with foot are attached to provide a stretching device that emulates the stretches for athletic stances including golf address, takeaway, backswing, follow through, and putting stance. The top bridge tube is adjustable to allow two variations of device height.

PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/600,642 filed Feb. 24, 2017.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to stretching and exercise devices, more particularly toward a portable and multi-positional device for assisting a person in stretching through a uniquely formed and angled tubular bar that provides stability at body positions in athletics related to golf stance address, downswing, takeaway, follow through, and putting stance.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

As with all athletic participants, players in golf benefit from stretching before, during and after playing or practicing. In order to stretch at maximum effectiveness, emulation of variables such as grip, stance, and body positioning become critical. Stretching before, after, and during exercise has been proven to help decrease soreness and injury due to poor flexibility. Getting muscles loose with stretching is a recommended, vital step participating in all physical activity. Stretching is a requisite activity for professional and amateur athletes as it helps increase range of motion during sports activity. The looseness of muscles contributes to a person's ability to perform activities better and be less prone to injury due to flexibility limitations in muscle motion. The ability to stretch without assistance is difficult for many people, including athletes. Typical methods for stabilizing a stretch include performing assisted stretching with a trainer or partner, using stretch straps, or leaning on available objects such as chairs, walls, or stairs to support body weight and stabilize balance. Without balance, it is difficult to initiate a proper stretch. This is a familiar problem in golf, where players will grasp handrails of golf carts and grab seats of benches to stabilize and anchor themselves as they attempt to bend over and stretch lower back and hamstring muscles in order to increase flexibility. Bending over and “touching toes” to warm up before exercise and participating in sports is a common practice. Lower body flexibility when bent over is vital in executing many common sports techniques that require bending to strike balls with hockey sticks, racquets, golf clubs, cricket bats, and baseball bats.

When bending over to stretch, grabbing the back of the legs with one's hands or using a piece of equipment not designed for stretching, such as a golf club, hockey stick, or baseball bat to add weight or resistance during a bent over stretch is common, but awkward, and lacks the proper anchor to hold a shallow or deep stretch. A problem arises when there is no base to anchor the stretch against gravity and balance becomes unstable. Loss of control or even injury is possible when stretching with a stabilizing element. The present invention addresses these common problems by providing a device offering both anchor and base to assist with stretching in various bent over positions, which also emulates a golf address, downswing, takeaway, follow through, and putting stance for increased benefit to executing golf swings with looser muscles. The invention also allows repositioning of the device to help gradually stretch for downward swing motions in baseball, hockey, and racquet sports.

PRIOR ART

Prior art in exercise, training, stretching devices and techniques are targeted to athletics generally, but even those specifically targeted to golf, are all lacking the unique advantages of the present invention. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,578, a stretching device with a foot support connected to an elongated bar, is too cumbersome for portability and does not specifically offer stretches that exactly emulate lower body downward motions generally used in athletics to swing or hit, and especially not those used in golf. Another device, specifically targeted at stretching for golf, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,557, uses two U shaped members permanently affixed to the ground with mounting plates and three height levels. The drawbacks to that proposed apparatus include the need for affixing to a surface, thus excluding portability, and the failure to facilitate stretches to emulate the various motions in golf that are achieved by the present invention. Another proposed apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,473 utilizes a pair of parallel legs with rocker portions to provide support, control, and leverage during various stretching exercises. That apparatus, although portable, is cumbersome and for many manipulations and relies on rocking to stretch, which is less effective than dynamic stretches to a static device, which evident in the proposed apparatus.

The present invention improves upon the existing art, because it utilizes technology focusing on athletic stances and motion paths to assist in executing stretches. It adds a unique addition to the technologies in the field by offering a portable device that facilitates stretching through an embodiment constructed to emulate positions in athletics including golf stance, takeaway, downswing, follow through, and putting stance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device used to increase flexibility of lower and lateral back muscles, and hamstrings via use of a uniquely formed and angled tubular bar that emulates the angles of a golf swing address, downswing, and putting stance while stretching. In broad terms, the device provides for a bar that sits on the ground and can be gripped as a golf club or putter, with or without the adjustable golf grips, to stretch muscles at various body positions and depths related to a golf swing address, take away, follow through, downswing, and putting stance.

The preferred embodiment of the invention can be disassembled into three simple parts to place inside a golf bag or athletic duffle bag and can be assembled quickly for use before, during, or after play, training, or exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary and the following detailed description illustrate the invention and method as a stretching device for golf. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described herein.

Referring now to the drawings in which numbers indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, shown in an assembled condition and as a training device to insure a proper address stance by a golfer, thus emulating that stance into a method and device for stretching.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, with parts separated to illustrate the relationship and assembly of the various components.

FIG. 3. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a golfer utilizing the preferred embodiment to achieve a deep stretch of the lower back, lateral back, and hamstrings, in preparation for hitting a golf ball, or for post round soreness relief stretch.

FIG. 4. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a golfer utilizing the preferred embodiment to achieve an extended deep stretch of his lower back, lateral back, and hamstrings, in preparation for hitting a golf ball or for post round soreness relief stretch.

FIG. 5. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1., showing a golfer utilizing the preferred embodiment to achieve a deep stretch of his lower back, lateral back, and hamstrings, in preparation for putting a golf ball or for post round soreness relief stretch.

FIG. 6. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment FIG. 1, showing a golfer utilizing the preferred embodiment at a right rotated position at swing takeaway to achieve a deep stretch of his lower back, lateral back, and hamstrings, in preparation for hitting a golf ball or for post round soreness relief stretch.

FIG. 7. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment FIG. 1, showing a golfer utilizing the preferred embodiment a left rotated position at swing follow through to achieve a deep stretch of his lower back, lateral back, and hamstrings, in preparation for hitting a golf ball or for post round soreness relief stretch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. While this particular device is valuable for stretching exercises to improve a player's swing and ability to drive and putt a golf ball, it also may be used for other sports and activities to promote flexibility and facilitate bent over stretching.

Referring to FIG. 1., a golfer 2 is shown addressing ball 6 with his club 4, while straddling device 10 on a golf course tee box or ground surface 8. Device 10 allows the golfer to set up his club at the proper angle to address the ball, taking a visual cue from leg 30 in setting up his club at the proper angle to address the ball. Ideally, angle alpha is in the range of 40-50 degrees to indicate proper club placement.

Turning to FIG. 2, preferred embodiment 10 is shown in a disassembled state for purposes of describing the various components and how they will be assembled. The golf stretch and exercise device is disassembled for portability and then assembled for use. The golf exercise and stretch device 10 includes the first leg tube 30, contains one driving grip with split 42, one pin 18 and spring clip 20 extruding from aperture 16 that upon assembly is inserted into the first angled portion 14 to engage aperture 36 of bridge tube 12. The first leg tube 30 is grounded by the crosstube 38 with two end caps 40. The bridge tube 12 has a first angled portion 14 with two apertures for connection to first leg tube 30 and a second angled portion 22 also containing two apertures 50 for connection to pin 26 held by spring clip 28 extruding from aperture 24 on second leg tube 44. The second leg tube 44 contains one putter grip with split 56, one pin 26 and spring clip 28 extruding from aperture 24 that upon assembly is inserted into the second angled portion 22 to engage aperture 50 of bridge tube 12. The second leg tube 44 is grounded by the crosstube 52 with two end caps 54. Conversely, in an alternate embodiment, it could be contemplated that the spring clip could be contained within first angled portion 14 and second angled portion 22, and the two apertures 36 and 50 placed on the first leg tube 30 and second leg tube 44 respectively. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to spring clips and apertures, but can be achieved through any means to temporarily attach tubes commonly known within the art. Returning to FIG. 1, first leg tube 30 is shown having an angle alpha in relation to vertical axis X as shown. Golfer 2 is shown addressing ball 6 with his club 4, taking a visual cue from leg 30 in setting up his club at the proper angle to address the ball.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the precise three pieces described herein. For example, the entire apparatus might be permanently affixed into one integral piece. Also the apparatus might be assembled from more than three or only two components. By way of example, the two base tubes might be detachable and able to be reattached when a user wished to use the apparatus, in which case the apparatus would comprise five pieces. Alternatively, first leg tube 30 and bridge tube 12, for example, could be permanently affixed, in which case the apparatus would comprise only two pieces. Finally the apparatus could be assembled from three pieces, the same number of pieces as the preferred embodiment, but different in shape. For example the first angled portion of bridge tube 12 and/or the second angled portion of bridge tube 12 might be replaced by an angled portion added to first leg tube 30 and/or an angled portion added to second leg tube 44.

FIG. 3 shows golfer 2 stretching his hamstrings, lateral back, and lower back. As shown in the figure, golfer 2 is straddling the bridge tube 12 with his legs, while bending at the waist and grasping the driving grip 42 attached to first leg tube 30. Driving grip 42 is slideable when placed onto first leg tube 30, with first leg tube 30 being solidly braced against ground surface 8 by cross tube 38.

FIG. 4 shows golfer 2 performing a deep stretching method at swing address for his hamstrings, lateral back, and lower back. As shown in the figure, golfer 2 is straddling the bridge tube 12 with his legs, while bending at the waist and grasping the driving grip 42 attached to first leg tube 30. Driving grip 42 is shown at the lower end of first leg tube 30, with first leg tube 30 being solidly braced against ground surface 8 by cross tube 38.

FIG. 5 shows golfer 2 performing a stretching method for his putting stance, for loosening his hamstrings, lateral back, and lower back. As shown in the figure, golfer 2 is straddling the bridge tube 12 with his legs, while bending at the waist and grasping the putter grip 56 attached to second leg tube 44. Putter grip 56 is slideable down second leg tube 44, with second leg tube 44 being solidly braced against ground surface 8 by cross tube 52.

FIG. 6 shows golfer 2 performing a deep stretching method for his golf swing takeaway, for loosening to his hamstrings, lateral back, and lower back. As shown in the figure, golfer 2 is perpendicular to the bridge tube 12 with his legs, while bending at the waist and grasping the driving grip 42 attached to first leg tube 30. Driving grip 42 is slide down to the end of first leg tube 30, with first leg tube 30 being solidly braced against ground surface 8 by cross tube 38.

FIG. 7 shows golfer 2 performing a stretching method for his golf swing follow through for loosening his hamstrings, lateral back, and lower back. As shown in the figure, with the device angled, golfer 2 is straddling the bridge tube 12 with his legs, while bending at the waist and grasping the driving grip 42 attached to first leg tube 30. Driving grip 42 is slide down to the end of first leg tube 30, with first leg tube 30 being solidly braced against ground surface 8 by cross tube 38.

The invention preferably is made by assembling metal tubes. It is possible to use other materials to create the device at any scale by recreating the aspect ratio of the bars with aluminum, stainless steel, PVC, plastic, copper, resin, bronze, or any other tubular or bar material. The tubes can be equipped with adjustable golf grips for putters or golf clubs or any other grip type, permanent or removable. The grips are part of the unique functionality of the invention. The grips in the preferred embodiment are adjustable for varied hand positioning during stretches and removable so that the device can used by grasping the bare material or the grips can be replaced when overly worn.

Any person who wants to stretch lower back, lateral back, and hamstrings to increase flexibility for sports activity or fitness could also use the invention, which is designed for golfers.

To use the assembled device 10 to stretch for a golf address, takeaway, downswing, back swing, or follow through, place the bridge tube 12 between the legs at various positions with either the first leg tube 30 facing out from the front of the body. Bend over and then grip the first leg tube 30, squeeze the driving grip 42 using a traditional golf hand and finger grip such as the interlocking, over knuckle, or baseball grip. Begin deep breathing steadily and hold the stretch for at least 15 seconds, up to 60 seconds or more, to stretch hamstrings, lower back, lateral back, and shoulders, finally, release and stand up slowly. To adjust the stretch descent, the driving grip 42 can be moved up or down first leg tube 30 to go deeper or shallower in the stretch. The device 10 can be positioned forward or back of the golfer 2 stance or right or left between or in front of the golfer 2 legs to stretch swing address, downswing, backswing, and follow through.

To use the assembled device to stretch for a golf-putting stance, place the bar between the legs at various positions with either the bridge tube facing out from the front of the body. Bend over and then grip the bridge tube, Begin deep breathing steadily and hold the stretch for at least 15 seconds, up to 60 seconds or more, to stretch hamstrings, lower back, lateral back, and shoulders, finally, release and stand up slowly. Use preferred golf grip or any other hand alignment that is comfortable. To adjust the stretch descent, the putting grip 56 can be moved up or down second leg tube 44 to go deeper or shallower in the stretch. The device 10 can be positioned forward or back of the golfer 2 stance or right or left between or in front of the legs of golfer 2 to stretch golf-putting stance.

The preferred embodiment of the invention has a removable, adjustable golf club grip referred to as driving grip with split 42 on the first leg tube 30 and a removable, adjustable golf putter grip referred to as putter grip 56 on the second leg tube 44. The grips provide an emulation of gripping a golf club or putter and allows for additional comfort on the hands. The adjustable nature of the grips allow for a deeper or shallower decent into the stretch, as they can be raised or lowered on the first leg tube 30 and the second leg tube 44. The invention can be used with or without the grips 42 and 56, with much of the same results. The user can remove the grips and grasp the tubes 30 and 44 directly.

The invention is made by cutting, drilling, adding fasteners, and finishing tube or bar into three forms, which are shown in FIG. 2., which include the first leg tube 30, bridge tube 12, and second leg tube 44 stabilized by opposing cross tube 38 and cross tube 52. The invention can also be made as a one piece with first leg tube 30, bridge tube 12, and second leg tube 44 in one piece then attached respectively to cross tube 38 and cross tube 52.

Disassembled, the first leg tube 30 is attached to cross tube 38 by means of welding, screws, adhesive, heat, punching or any other reasonable method for attaching metals, plastics or other tubing or bars. The cross tube can be varied in size to achieve similar results and contains end caps 40 to help secure the device to the ground surface 8. Alternatively, any other suitable base, either integral or attachable, may be used. The first leg tube 30 has a pin 18 attached to a spring clip 20 located slightly off the first end 32 for portable connection and disconnection to the bridge tube 12 of the device during assembly. The first leg tube 30 can be varied in length, material diameter, and total scale to achieve similar results.

Disassembled, the bridge tube 12 ideally is formed with a 40 to 50-degree bend on the first angled portion 14 and contains a pair of apertures 36 that connect to pin 18 of first leg tube 30 during assembly. The bridge tube also contains a 90 to 120-degree bend to create a second angled portion 22 that contains a pair of apertures 50 for connection to pin 26 of second tube leg 44 during full device assembly. The bridge tube 12 can be varied in length, material diameter, and total scale to achieve similar results.

Disassembled, the second leg tube 44 is attached to cross tube 52 by means of welding, screws, adhesive, heat, punching or any other reasonable method for attaching metals, plastics or other tubing or bars. The cross tube can be varied in size to achieve similar results and contains end caps 54 to help secure the device to the ground surface 8. Alternatively, any other suitable base, either integral or attachable, may be used. The second leg tube 44 has a pin 26 attached to a spring clip 28 located slightly off the first end 46 for portable connection and disconnection to the bridge tube 12 of the device during assembly. The second leg tube 44 can be varied in length, material diameter, and total scale to achieve similar results.

The material for the invention is tubing, which could be copper tube, aluminum, titanium, brass, steel, plastic or any material that offers tensile strength, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and beauty. ½ OD tubing is preferred, but it is possible to use any other sized OD tubing or solid bars to create the device at various scales. The 90 to 120-degree angled portion 22 and the 40 to 50-degree angle portion 14 on the bridge tube 12 contain apertures 36, 50, which are expanded or a larger tube diameter to fit over first leg tube 30 and second leg tube 44 and accept pin 26 and pin 18 during assembly. Although the invention preferably uses hollow tubes with circular cross sections, the tubes need not be hollow and the cross sections need not be circular. The device may or may not be coated with powder, paint, chrome, or any other coating or sheen over of the core material.

The preferred embodiment contains two grips. On first leg tube 30, a standard aftermarket rubber or lambskin golf club represents driving grip with split 42. To adapt the grips for use on the device, each respective grip is split open down the back and the butt end is removed. When assembled, the driving grip with split 42 is then wrapped on the first leg tube 30. The putter grip with split 56 is wrapped on the second leg tube 44. Any aftermarket golf grips can be used and are not claimed as an invention on their own, but their unique manipulation of splicing and end removal and usage as apparatus for the stretching device make them a unique feature of the stated invention design. Users can subsequently replace the grips with aftermarket grips over their life span as they wear down. Other gripping materials such as foam, rubber, any tape, grip tape, or any other removable or permanent grip that can fit snuggly around the bars can be used on any of the tubes 30, 12, or 44 to gain the same result.

The preferred embodiment includes a one piece unit, which would be broken down to three pieces to be portable in a golf bag or athletic bag. This embodiment includes a first leg tube 30 of 18.25 inches or telescopes to 19.75 inches in length with a stabilizing cross tube 38 of 9 inches to achieve a device height of 19.5 to 20.5 inches. The first leg tube 30 is attached to the 135 degree side of the bridge tube 12. The bridge tube 12 has a total length of 21 inches and includes a 90 degree and 135 degree angle. The 90 degree side attaches to a second leg tube 44 that after insertion assembles to 13.75 or telescopes to 15.25 inches in length with a stabilizing cross tube 52 of 9 inches. The device height can be varied for taller or shorter users by extending or diminishing the length of the tubes in proportion to achieve a lower or higher device height. The embodiment is not limited to the exact sizes listed, but can vary by 10-30% of scale and still be effective. These dimensions are based upon the bridge tube 12 portion having a 135 degree angled first portion and a 90 degree angled second portion. Varying one or both of these angles would, as is readily apparent, necessitate changing the various dimensions to achieve stability and proper indication of club placement. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to facilitate stretching, in particular, stretching before, during and after playing golf, said apparatus comprising: a first tube having a central linear portion, a first end portion disposed at an angle of 130-40 degrees to said central linear portion, and a second end portion disposed at an angle of 90-120 degrees to said central linear portion, wherein said central linear portion, said first end portion and said second end portion are all coplanar, and wherein the distal ends of said first end portion and said second end portion are both on the same side of said central linear portion within the plane defined by said central linear portion, said first end portion and said second end portion, a second linear tube having a first end connected to said first end portion of said first tube and a second end connected to a base, and a third linear tube having a first end connected to said second end portion of said first tube and a second end connected to a base.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base of said second linear tube is a connected tube perpendicular to said second linear tube and perpendicular to the plane defined by said central linear portion, said first end portion and said second end portion of said first tube, and said base of said third linear tube is a connected tube perpendicular to said third linear tube and perpendicular to the plane defined by said central linear portion, said first end portion and said second end portion of said first tube.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said base of said second linear tube can be disconnected and reconnected, and said base of said third linear tube can be disconnected and reconnected.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer portion of said second linear tube is concentrically surrounded by a first grip member and an outer portion of said third linear tube is concentrically surrounded by a second grip member.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second linear tube can be disconnected from and subsequently reconnected to said first end portion of said first tube, and said third linear tube can be disconnected from and subsequently reconnected to said second end portion of said first tube.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said base of said second linear tube is a connected tube perpendicular to said second linear tube and perpendicular to the plane defined by said central linear portion, said first end portion and said second end portion of said first tube, and said base of said third linear tube is a connected tube perpendicular to said third linear tube and perpendicular to the plane defined by said central linear portion, said first end portion and said second end portion of said first tube.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said base of said second linear tube can be disconnected and reconnected, and said base of said third linear tube can be disconnected and reconnected.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an outer portion of said second linear tube is concentrically surrounded by a first grip member and an outer portion of said third linear tube is concentrically surrounded by a second grip member. 